Focal Kanta No. 2 Loudspeaker $10,000 Review
November 24, 2018 Comments Off on Focal Kanta No. 2 Loudspeaker $10,000 Review
“The possibility of an impedance mismatch between amp and speaker occurred to me, of course, but I was slow to accept it: I’m very fond of the Bernings and have used them successfully with a wide variety of loudspeakers over the past two years. But as I wasn’t getting anywhere, I substituted the Pass XA 60.8s—60 watts of Class A power—and the situation was utterly transformed. In the final movement of the Saint-Saëns “Organ” Symphony—the Eschenbach/Philadelphia Orchestra live recording ripped from an Ondine SACD—the featured instrument was potently majestic, and the brass section, playing full out, matched the acoustic power of the organ without the sound disintegrating into an undifferentiated mess”
McIntosh MS500 Music Streamer $6,000 Review
November 24, 2018 Comments Off on McIntosh MS500 Music Streamer $6,000 Review
“I’m fond of saying everyone has his/her speciality. I look at a turntable like it’s a rocket surgery project, but give me the most convoluted digital product and it’ll be right in my wheelhouse. These specialities hold true for audio companies as well. McIntosh has always nailed the analog side of HiFi. The company also offers a great D1100 DAC that I reviewed and placed on the C.A.S.H. List earlier this year. However when it comes to a complete digital platform capable of streaming, integrating with Crestron, and building iOS/Android apps, etc… McIntosh has elected to outsource this specialty. I don’t blame them, it’s difficult work. The MS500 has Autonomic technology where it counts and McIntosh design and DNA where it counts.
I must also note that it’s impossible not to enjoy the beautiful design of the McIntosh MS500. It’s black glass, glorious green illuminated logo, distinctive red power button, and classy aluminum end caps are legendary and look even better in person.”
Campfire Audio Solaris Review
November 24, 2018 Comments Off on Campfire Audio Solaris Review
“The timbre is natural to slightly warm in part from that excellent low-end dynamic driver which provides a strong bass fundamental and some welcome musicality. The BA tuning brings in more speed and detail, as well as a good odd-harmonic counter on higher-pitched percussion timbre. Honestly, at this early stage, the coherence and timbre for a hybrid are excellent.
Treble presence seems to be a little more focused closer to the 7-10k range with a slightly muted 4-6k which is where I expected the T.A.E.C tuning to really shine as it does in the Andromeda. Overall the Solaris treble sounds a touch smoother with a little more body than the Andromeda and not as feisty as the Atlas but we will check this more closely in our main review.”
MRSPEAKERS ETHER2 OPEN BACK ORTHODYNAMIC HEADPHONES REVIEW
November 23, 2018 Comments Off on MRSPEAKERS ETHER2 OPEN BACK ORTHODYNAMIC HEADPHONES REVIEW
“My last track was actually my first track as I used it to compare the different MrSpeakers headphones using the QP2R as well as the different cables, but chose to revisit it at the end when talking about the QP2R performance, and that would be “And You And I — I. Cord of Life, II. Eclipse, III. The Preacher the Teacher, IV. Apocalypse” from Yes’ Close to the Edge (DSD). I was floored by the huge soundstage, the lack of sibilant hiss during certain vocal passages and the deep throaty bass as well as the clarity and detail.
I guess my tests wouldn’t be complete without some word on the new VIVO cable, it is definitely less microphonic and I believe there was a slight improvement in bass extension and resolution.”
Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier Review
November 23, 2018 Comments Off on Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier Review
“Bowers & Wilkins’ 603 is absolutely the floorstander of choice for under $3000. I seriously doubt that you will find a floor standing speaker with the same brand heritage, beautiful midrange tone, detail, soundstage and versatility, for less than five grand.
The addition of a subwoofer just adds to the experience, but unless you are using the 603 floor standing loudspeaker in a home cinema or you prefer a bit more bass, you’ll love them just as much without it.”
KEF LSX review
November 22, 2018 Comments Off on KEF LSX review
“KEF is pitching the LSX as equally competitive for its price category as the LS50 Wireless is. We only need to hear the serene drum beat and guitar plucking duo of Nick Cave’s Jubilee Street to know that these KEFs do, to borrow lyrics from the song, “practice what they preach”. From the poised delivery of his first stanza, the LSX are clearly sonic descendants of the expressive, tonally-even and rhythmically astute LS50 Wireless.
The audible assortment of guitar notes, along with the varied emphasis upon each, is credit to the LSX’s transparency, not only in the amount of detail it digs up but also the dynamic discretion it delivers. The placement of the crystal-clear vocal is given no less consideration than the bells that come in subtly beside it.”
Piega C711 $25,000 Review
November 22, 2018 Comments Off on Piega C711 $25,000 Review
“That said, the C711’s ethereal character contributes to this speaker’s stunning spatial presentation. The Piega seems to float images in three-dimensional space with no apparent connection to the pair of speakers. Many speakers will pull off this trick, but the C711 goes beyond conventional imaging to beautifully (and accurately) infuse the soundstage with a tangible sense of air and bloom among instruments. This quality worked synergistically with the C711’s stunning timbral resolution to convey the precise spatial and textural characteristics of individual instruments, particularly during dense passages or unison phrases. The C711 was the antithesis of thick, congealed, confused, or homogenized—spatially or tonally. I could effortlessly shift my attention from an instrument or section to another as easily as I can when listening to live music. This quality was particularly apparent on vocal harmonies, such as on The Manhattan Transfer’s new album The Junction. Each voice was presented with its own unique timbre intact and distinct from the others; yet the vocals blended into a coherent whole. This quality went a long way toward my enjoyment of music through the C711.”
SIMAUDIO MOON 600I V2 EVOLUTION SERIES INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
November 21, 2018 Comments Off on SIMAUDIO MOON 600I V2 EVOLUTION SERIES INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
“This single-box Moon integrated is a very fine amplifier indeed that can punch way above its weight. When I look at the alternatives, many costing considerably more, I am very impressed with its potential and can imagine it being entirely suitable in systems that may well be conventionally considered a step too far up the performance ladder. After having lived with it for a while I know that to be wrong. It’s hardly cheap but it offers seriously involving performance, comparable with amplifiers costing twice as much. Check out a fully run-in example and I think you’ll agree. The Moon 600i V2 is a great, exceptionally capable integrated amplifier.”
EMPIRE EARS PHANTOM $1799 REVIEW
November 21, 2018 Comments Off on EMPIRE EARS PHANTOM $1799 REVIEW
“The Phantom is rated at just 10Ω and 117dB sensitivity. This is one heck of an easy monitor to drive out of any moderate source or good quality DAP. I am not entirely sure why you would resort to additional amping with the Phantom unless it is to acquire a measure of tonal shaping or additional dynamic range.
I put this easily in the same efficiency category as the Campfire Audio Andromeda and some VE models such as the VE8 for high sensitivity and low driving loads. Even out of a humble smartphone, albeit with better than average sound quality such as the LG G6, the Phantom sounds fulsome and highly engaging.”
Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless Earphones Review
November 20, 2018 Comments Off on Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless Earphones Review
“When needing a charge, 50% is complete in 15 minutes, while 40 minutes gives a full charge. A full charge yields about 3.5 hours of connectivity. But that is for the internal battery of the earphones. The case itself can hold 3 such full charges, so while on the road, if you run out of juice, you can place the earphones back in the case and wait a bit to recharge for another round. Thus, once the case and your buds are fully charged you have enough for 14 hours. Isn’t that convenient? When the case is fully charged (3 charges), the three tiny green LEDs illuminate.
When listening, the right earpiece has a button on top for pause/play, while the left one’s button is for volume up/down. Ear fit involves an included set of sizes for the outside cover from which to choose, but the very cool thing is that you give the MW07 a twist to seal them in place. It’s akin to using ‘EarPlanes’ earplugs on flights to reduce ear/air pressure—but now you get musical pleasure, too.”
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